PlumX Metrics
Embed PlumX Metrics

Associations of community water fluoridation with caries prevalence and oral health inequality in children

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, ISSN: 1660-4601, Vol: 14, Issue: 6
2017
  • 22
    Citations
  • 0
    Usage
  • 81
    Captures
  • 24
    Mentions
  • 36
    Social Media
Metric Options:   Counts1 Year3 Year

Metrics Details

  • Citations
    22
  • Captures
    81
  • Mentions
    24
    • News Mentions
      23
      • News
        23
    • Blog Mentions
      1
      • Blog
        1
  • Social Media
    36
    • Shares, Likes & Comments
      36
      • Facebook
        36

Most Recent News

Professor Reinforces That Fluoride In Water Helps Prevent Tooth Decay

Fluoride is a mineral found in water that strengthens teeth and helps prevent cavities.   Driving through downtown Dallas, you might see a striking banner

Article Description

This study aimed to confirm the association between the community water fluoridation (CWF) programme and dental caries prevention on permanent teeth, comparing to a control area, neighbouring population without the programme, and verifying whether the programme can reduce the socio-economic inequality related to the oral health of children in Korea. Evaluation surveys were conducted among 6-, 8-, and 11-year-old children living in Okcheon (CWF) and neighbouring Yeongdong (non-CWF, control area) towns in South Korea. Data on monthly family income, caregiver educational level, and Family Affluence Scale scores were evaluated using questionnaires that were distributed to the parents. The effectiveness of CWF in caries reduction was calculated based on the differences in decayed, missing, and filled teeth and decayed, missing, and filled tooth surfaces indices between the two towns. The data were analysed using logistic regression and univariate analysis of variance. Both 8- and 11-year-old children living in the CWF area had lower dental caries prevalence than those living in the non-CWF community. Differences in dental caries prevalence based on educational level were found in the control area but not in the CWF area. Socio-economic factor-related inequality in oral health were observed in the non-CWF community. Additionally, 8- and 11-year-old children living in the CWF area displayed lower dental caries prevalence in the pit-and-fissure and smooth surfaces than those living in the non-CWF community. These results suggest that CWF programmes are effective in the prevention of caries on permanent teeth and can reduce oral health inequalities among children. The implementation of CWF programmes should be sustained to overcome oral health inequalities due to socio-economic factors and improve children’s overall oral health.

Provide Feedback

Have ideas for a new metric? Would you like to see something else here?Let us know